Ham and Cheese Casserole
Man, the ‘70s came with some really unusual but delicious foods. And this ham and cheese casserole was a simple way to use all that leftover ham. Cubes of ham were mixed with pasta or potatoes and plenty of cream cheese sauce, then baked into a gooey, golden dish that smelled simply amazing. For ‘70s kids, it was the kind of casserole that tasted like home while also being a bit indulgent and grown-up.
Tuna Noodle Casserole
Tuna noodle casserole was a weeknight hero in homes across America in the ‘70s. You mixed tuna, egg noodles, and creamy mushroom soup into one warm, bubbly dish. The best part? The crunchy potato chips sprinkled on top before baking. Moms loved how quick it was, and kids didn’t mind eating fish if it came with creamy pasta. It was a mix that somehow made everyone happy and filled their tummies.
Chicken Divan
Chicken Divan made chicken and broccoli taste way more fancy than it really was. Chunks of juicy, tender chicken and bright green broccoli were mixed together and coated in a rich and creamy sauce made with mayo, sour cream, and condensed soup. You topped it off with a cheesy breadcrumb topping that gave it a perfect golden crust. Every dinner felt like a special occasion if you were having Chicken Divan.
Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole
A cheesy cauliflower casserole was the best way to sneak in a few veggies for dinner. You baked cauliflower florets in a rich cheese sauce until they were tender and gooey. Sometimes you even added a sprinkle of breadcrumbs on top for a little crunch. No matter how you made it, it was creamy, warm, and made the ultimate side dish that went with just about anything. Leftovers weren’t a thing with this dish.
Hash Brown Casserole
Hash brown casserole was pure comfort food. You mixed shredded hash browns with sour cream, and shredded cheese, then baked it until it was golden and bubbling. It was creamy in the middle with a crispy top - kind of like a breakfast dish turned into dinner. For moms, it was the perfect way to use up leftover chicken and make everyone happy at the same time. Clean plates all around!
Beef and Macaroni Casserole
We don’t know about you, but this one was a family favorite in our homes in the ‘70s. Ground beef, elbow macaroni, tomato sauce, and cheese came together in one big, hearty, oh-so delicious bake. It was the perfect mix between spaghetti and lasagna - only easier to make. It was true comfort in a casserole dish, and it was always gone by the next day. The kids always begged for more.
Tamale Pie Casserole
Tamale pie casserole brought a little spice to the dinner table. It had a bit of a Mexican mix of ground beef, corn, beans, and chili seasoning, all baked under a golden cornbread topping. The slight contrast between the soft cornbread and spicy filling underneath made it unforgettable. If you loved Taco Tuesday, this was probably one of those meals that you loved, too, but only baked and bubbly.
Stuffed Pepper Casserole
If you love all the flavour of stuffed pepper without the work, you should try this ‘70s favorite. Ground beef, rice, tomato sauce, and chopped peppers were baked together in one pan. The result? A rich, savoury casserole that had that familiar taste of sweet peppers. This shortcut saved so many moms in the ‘70s, but kept all the flavor we all know and love from the original dish. Whether you liked peppers or not, you probably went back for a second helping.
Zucchini Casserole
Sliced zucchini layered with cheese, eggs, and breadcrumbs? Sounds easy and delicious, right? This zucchini casserole was baked into a soft, cheesy, slightly crispy dish and served as a side dish at many a church potluck or Thanksgiving dinner. Even the picky eaters enjoyed it, and it was just another great way to use up all that extra zucchini you had in the garden season. If you were really lucky, Mom made it extra crispy - just the way you liked it.
Chicken and Rice Casserole
There is no other meal that’s easier to make than a chicken and rice casserole. Simply put, it’s a timeless classic that requires very little cooking skill. All you need is tender chicken and fluffy rice, baked together in a creamy sauce made from cream of chicken soup. You could toss everything in one pan, bake it, and dinner would be done. It was - and probably still is - the definition of an easy family meal.
Baked Spaghetti Casserole
Spaghetti night with a twist? We’re down with that! Layers of cooked spaghetti, meat sauce, and melted cheese were baked together like lasagna for this ‘70s favorite. The edges got all crispy, the middle stayed gooey, and every bite was loaded with just as much flavor as the one before it. Kids loved that it made spaghetti feel brand new, and Mom loved that she had something to make for dinner from her pantry staples.
Hamburger Potato Casserole
Forget hamburgers and fries - hamburger and potato casserole was where it was happening in the ‘70s. Layered thin slices of potatoes with seasoned ground beef and creamy soup baked into a hearty meal? Where do we sign up? The creamy sauce soaked into the potatoes, and the beef added just the right amount of richness to a yummy meal that was simple, filling, and pure comfort food/ One-pot cooking was never easier.
Corn Casserole
When mom had cans of creamed corn in the pantry, you knew it was time for corn casserole. This dish was sweet, creamy, and a little bit savory, but, boy, was it a crowd-pleaser. All you had to do was pop a tin of creamed corn, whole corn, and some cornbread mix in a dish and bake it into a golden, fluffy dish. It wasn’t quite bread and not quite pudding - but everyone loved it and it was the perfect side dish.
Eggplant Parmesan Casserole
Eggplant parmesan brought Italian flavor to the table. Breaded eggplant slices were layered with tomato sauce and melted mozzarella cheese, then baked until gooey and bubbly. Can you say tangy tomato goodness? Even people who claimed they didn’t like eggplant changed their minds after this one and went back for a second helping. It’s still a popular dish today, but in a more refined way than this sloppy, delicious casserole.
Sloppy Joe Casserole
Yes, half the appeal of a Sloppy Joe was the mess. But, for those who wanted the saucy deliciousness of a Sloppy Joe with a bit more refinement, the Sloppy Joe casserole was invented. The saucy beef filling was spread in a dish and topped with biscuits or cornbread dough. As it baked, the topping turned golden and fluffy while the beef stayed juicy underneath. This was a winner in the ‘70s and became savory comfort at its best.
Green Bean Casserole
No dinner or party table was complete without a good old green bean casserole. Green beans were mixed with cream of mushroom soup, then topped with crispy fried onions. You popped it in the oven to bake and watched the sauce get bubbly. Those onions? Well, they turned golden brown and crispy. It was simple, comforting, and could get even fussy eaters to eat their veggies, no matter the occasion.
Cheeseburger Casserole
The cheeseburger casserole was everything you loved about cheeseburger, but minus the bun. We’re talking ground beef, melted cheese, and pasta or potatoes baked together to create a rich, cheesy, meaty dish that had everyone going back for seconds. It was super quick to make and even quicker to disappear. Do you remember your mom serving this up for dinner on those hot summer days in the ‘70s? We sure do.
Tater Tot Casserole
If you didn’t eat tater tot casserole at least once in your childhood, you didn’t live! This was the ultimate childhood favorite made with ground beef, veggies, and creamy soup forming the base, while a layer of crispy tater tots covered the top. When it came out of the oven, the tots were golden and crunchy - just like everyone liked them. From the church potluck to lazy Friday night dinners, tater tot casserole always put a smile on everyone's faces.
Turkey Tetrazzini
We can’t think of a better use for leftover turkey than a creamy turkey tetrazzini. This casserole was a post-holiday must. It combined shredded turkey, spaghetti, mushrooms, and a smooth white sauce. Once baked, it turned golden and bubbly on top. Sure, it was rich and a bit overindulgent, but that’s what everyone loved about it. It made you forget you were eating leftovers again, even if that's all you'd been eating for a few days after Thanksgiving.
Enchilada Casserole
Enchilada casserole was all the bold Mexican flavors you loved, layered in a casserole. To make it, you stacked soft enchiladas with ground beef, cheese, beans, and a spicy sauce. It baked into a cheesy, saucy delight that was easy to slice and serve. Fiesta food at its best! It made figuring out what to eat for dinner on a weeknight super easy, and there were usually no leftovers because it was so delicious.
